LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND

LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND

Hello and welcome to a strange new world. You have traveled far through the desert, only to be met time and again by one empty oasis after another. You are lost and alone, wandering, wondering if someone, anyone, knows how you feel. And just when you think you can't go on, and no one could possibly understand your struggle, a hand reaches out to you, lifts you to your feet, and carries you to the promised land. He feeds you knowledge, shelters you from the self-righteous (and the ridiculous), and provides you with the tools you need to survive in this brave new world. You are a stranger in a strange land, but you are not alone. Let him be your guide. Follow closely as you travel together on this adventure of a lifetime. For now, you are a foreigner to "Fatherhood" but soon YOU will be the master of this realm.

"No Man is Expendable!"

This is Fodder 4 Fathers...

FODDER OF THE WEEK: THERE AIN'T NO FLIES ON US - A PSYCHOLOGICAL ARGUMENT AGAINST SPOILING YOUR KIDS ROTTEN

If you were to ask Abraham Maslow (good luck, he's dead) what all human beings require to thrive, he would tell you there are five basic to advanced needs we all should strive to satisfy. Pointing to the findings of his now famous 1943 paper entitled, The Theory of Human Motivation, Maslow suggests there is a hierarchy in which these needs should be fulfilled in order to be the best person you can be. These needs are as follows:

Well, Maslow didn't live in an age where technology moved faster than the speed of light; an age where kids couldn't give a f--k what their parents or society have to say about their behaviour. So, if you'll indulge me for a moment, I'd like to supply a list of my own, what I like to call my Theory of Human Demotivation, to describe the not-so basic to advanced needs of all the overly spoiled brats many parents seem to be raising these days. ﻿

Basic Needs - A warm bed (queen or king-sized), their own five piece bathroom, a walk-in closet, a TV (for every room), an X-Box, a Cell Phone, a Laptop, an Ipod, an Ipad, 5 different types of sugar cereals in the cupboard, Soda Pop, a skate board, a mountain bike, a chauffer, a chef, a nanny, and an expense account at the country club cafeteria.

Safety Needs - An Epi-pen, an Asthma inhaler, a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, Ritalin, an unlimited allowance, a portfolio, an inheritance, numerous pets that they will never care for, a nanny cam, and karate lessons.

Love and Belonging Needs- A mirror to stare at, the most up to date fashions, a birthday party with more kids than they could possibly know, inappropriatly expensive bithday gifts, a hooker for their bar mitzvah ("Today you are man!), a tutor that teaches more than algebra, and a bodyguard to keep the bullies at bay.

Esteem Needs- An unwarranted superiority complex based on their family's wealth, a lack of respect for any authority figure, a need to place blame on others for thier mistakes, an inablity to empathize with any one less fortunate, a reason to make fun of those who have to work for what they get, a liquor cabinet to raid, and a drawer full of prescription and non-prescription drugs to help them get through the sheer boredom of every single day of their priveleged lives.

Self-Actualization Needs- Pay others to do all their home work so they can go to college, get their MBA, step right in to a cushy job in the family business, run it in to the ground, squander the family fortune (so the next generation has to actually work for a living), inevitably deciding to commit suicide so they never know what it's like to be "poor"- while leaving behind a wife and kids who will be just that.

Do I have to spell it out for you?

Spoiling your kids does them more harm than good. It's an easy way out of having to actually parent your kids. It's a conscious choice that you have the power to correct before the problem gets out of hand. Stop controlling your kids with money and let them learn how to lead their own lives.

About our Blog

Born out of one man's search for the meaning of life after the birth of his daughter, Fodder 4 Fathers is an entertaining and educational excursion in to the day-to-day domestication of the New Dad as he attempts to maneuvre through a life that is no longer his own. Humorous, poigniant, and always pushing the envelope, Fodder 4 Fathers is a learning experience like no other.
Get ready to be enlightened- this is Fodder 4 Fathers!

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New Dad? First-time parent looking for honest answers to any question that might arise? No man is an island, and you can't do it all by yourself. Check out our search box (see below) for the answers that you seek. Just type in a topic or keyword and let the magic 8 ball tell you your fate (related posts will appear at the top of the page). And, if you still can't find what you're looking for, use me, I'm a valuable resource. Just drop me a line on my facebook page, email me, or leave a comment. Whatever your query, we're happy to help.